“Viva la Vida” by Coldplay could double as Caesar’s diary in its telling of a leader corrupted by power then brought down in a rebellion. Imperial Rome stretched throughout the known world and Caesar ruled it. So too did the Coldplay rule the known world, opening their song with “I used to rule the world” (Coldplay). In fact, the opening reminiscence of Coldplay’s time in power alludes to Julius Caesar, the historical figure which the Shakespeare wrote his play about. After crossing the river to battle Pompey, the great emperor told his men that “the die has been cast” (Caesar), implying his bold position above fate and showing his willingness to take risks. These daring qualities line up with the conspirator’s justification for killing “ambitious” Caesar (3. 2. 1560), who also believes that bad omens apply “to the world in general” (2. 2. 1105). Shakespeare’s Caesar is a bold man above fate which Coldplay identifies with, remembering how they “used to roll the dice, feel the fear in my enemy's eyes” (Coldplay). The song also touches on how power corrupts those who hold it, like with Caesar. Caesar loved Rome, but in his quest to bring prosperity to his kingdom, he became too power hungry and bold. As Coldplay remembers, “once you go there was never/ never an honest word” (Coldplay). While Shakespeare’s Caesar loved Rome, his trip down the road of power came at the expense of Roman democracy and the senators, who lived in “servile fearfulness” (1. 1. 76) of his ambition and dishonesty. Power corrupted both characters with noble intentions into characters more dangerous than danger itself. In “Viva la Vida,” now that they have been removed from power, Coldplay regrets and understands how easily power corrupts, such as happened Caesar, and later Antony and Brutus. Julius Caesar never received an opportunity to look back on his path, yet he likely would have disagreed with Coldplay’s tone of regret. Despite the bad omens and understanding that he is “more dangerous” (2. 2. 1025) than danger itself, “Caesar shall go forth” (2. 2. 1004). Caesar acknowledges before his death that power turned him dangerous, yet he remains confident and bold in his corrupted position, confidently moving forward. In contrast, the mood created by Coldplay’s music and tone implies regret as they question “who would ever want to be king” (Coldplay). While power corrupts both noble-intending Caesar and Coldplay, leading to their fall from power, Caesar looks back on his ambition proudly, while Coldplay wishes they’d never been king at all. Coldplay’s imagined diary of Caesar differs from that of Shakespeare's, yet both plausibly recount the fall of a great, yet corrupted, leader from power.
“Viva la Vida” by Coldplay could double as Caesar’s diary in its telling of a leader corrupted by power then brought down in a rebellion. Imperial Rome stretched throughout the known world and Caesar ruled it. So too did the Coldplay rule the known world, opening their song with “I used to rule the world” (Coldplay). In fact, the opening reminiscence of Coldplay’s time in power alludes to Julius Caesar, the historical figure which the Shakespeare wrote his play about. After crossing the river to battle Pompey, the great emperor told his men that “the die has been cast” (Caesar), implying his bold position above fate and showing his willingness to take risks. These daring qualities line up with the conspirator’s justification for killing “ambitious” Caesar (3. 2. 1560), who also believes that bad omens apply “to the world in general” (2. 2. 1105). Shakespeare’s Caesar is a bold man above fate which Coldplay identifies with, remembering how they “used to roll the dice, feel the fear in my enemy's eyes” (Coldplay). The song also touches on how power corrupts those who hold it, like with Caesar. Caesar loved Rome, but in his quest to bring prosperity to his kingdom, he became too power hungry and bold. As Coldplay remembers, “once you go there was never/ never an honest word” (Coldplay). While Shakespeare’s Caesar loved Rome, his trip down the road of power came at the expense of Roman democracy and the senators, who lived in “servile fearfulness” (1. 1. 76) of his ambition and dishonesty. Power corrupted both characters with noble intentions into characters more dangerous than danger itself. In “Viva la Vida,” now that they have been removed from power, Coldplay regrets and understands how easily power corrupts, such as happened Caesar, and later Antony and Brutus. Julius Caesar never received an opportunity to look back on his path, yet he likely would have disagreed with Coldplay’s tone of regret. Despite the bad omens and understanding that he is “more dangerous” (2. 2. 1025) than danger itself, “Caesar shall go forth” (2. 2. 1004). Caesar acknowledges before his death that power turned him dangerous, yet he remains confident and bold in his corrupted position, confidently moving forward. In contrast, the mood created by Coldplay’s music and tone implies regret as they question “who would ever want to be king” (Coldplay). While power corrupts both noble-intending Caesar and Coldplay, leading to their fall from power, Caesar looks back on his ambition proudly, while Coldplay wishes they’d never been king at all. Coldplay’s imagined diary of Caesar differs from that of Shakespeare's, yet both plausibly recount the fall of a great, yet corrupted, leader from power.
Lyrics
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listened as the crowd would sing
Now the old king is dead long live the king
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you'd gone there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
It was a wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know St Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Oh oh oh oh ohh oh [x5]
Hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know St Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world